Shaoguan Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 韶关 (sháo guān)
Population: 2,997,600
Area: 18,400 square kilometers (7,104 square miles)
Location: in the north of Guangdong Province, southern China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Zhenjiang, Wujiang, Qujiang); 4 counties (Shixing, Renhua, Wengyuan, Xinfeng); 1 autonomous county (Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County); 2 county-level cities (Lechang, Nanxiong)
Area Code: 0751
Zip Code: 512000
GDP (2018): CNY 134.39 billion (USD 20.31 billion)
 

Shaoguan is regarded as the north gate of Guangdong Province, neighboring Hunan to the north, Jiangxi to the east and Guangzhou to the south. It is rich in land and water transportation resources, functioning as a vital pass to the coastal area of South China. Nanhua Temple in Shaoguan is the place where the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) carried forward the Southern Chan School of Buddhism. The temple is dedicated to the real body of Hui Neng. It is also very enjoyable to visit Shaoguan spring resorts where the temperature of springs is constant and the infrastructures are perfect. The Caoxi Spring Holiday Resort located at Maba Town is the largest spring resort in Guangdong, which is 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) north of Nanhua Temple and only 2.5 hours bus ride from Guangzhou. As the gateway for the residents of central China to move south into Guangdong, Shaoguan has accommodated a great number of Hakka people, forming splendid Hakka culture and becoming one of the four major Hakka gathering places in mainland China.

 Danxia Mountain: The mountain boasts of the largest tourist attraction and the most beautiful scenery of Guangdong. It is also a world famous geopark. The Danxia Landform is nominated for this mountain. It contains nearly 700 pieces of large red glutenite and many grotto temples.
 
 Nan Hua Temple: 22 kilometers (14 miles) from the city downtown Shaoguan, the Nan Hua Temple is a famous Buddhist site, where the sixth founder of the Buddhism generation in Tang Dynasty (618-907), Hui Neng, established the southern sect of Zen. With a history of 1,500 years, the temple keeps many national treasures, including the Da Zang Sutra, decree and cassock of thousand years ago.

Visitors can get on trains making stops in Shaoguan to Guangzhou, Kowloon for about three and four hours. Road transportation of the city is also convenient. Two main bus stations existed in the city, the west bus station and the east bus station. Several buses to Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen will depart in the stations. In addition, there are regular buses in the east bus station departing to the Danxia Mountain every 15 minutes.

 See more Hong Kong - Shaoguan Train, Shenzhen - Shaoguan Train, Shaoguan - Guangzhou Train, Xi'an to Shaoguan Train, Beijing to Shaoguan Train, Shanghai - Shaoguan Train

Enjoying a subtropical humid monsoon climate, Shaoguan is affected by the seasonal winds all the year round. Spring is overcast and rainy, while precipitation in autumn is fewer. March to August is the rainy season and September to February the next year is the dry season.

 When to Go: Shaoguan has abundant rainfall and moderate weather, so visitors can get there at anytime, especially in spring and autumn.

 History: Shaoguan area belonged to Chu Kingdom in the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC). The place was named with 'Shao' since the Sui Dynasty (581-618), and in Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties it gained the name 'Shaoguan' for the government established passes here to collect taxes.

 Physical Features: Lying in the south part of the Nanling Mountains, this region has vast area of karst landform. Hilly area constitutes the main land of the city. The Danxia Landform is nominated for the red sandstone in the Mt. Danxia of Renhua County. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south.

 Local Highlights: Folk costumes of the Yao ethnic minority is interesting, especially the marriage customs.

 Special Local Products: Lechang Baimaojian (raw white tea), mushroom, plum